The series contains the report and photographs of the first experimental farm building project; pamphlets on farmstead planning and development and products offered; photos of livestock chutes and pens; notes on managers of the Farmstead Development Department; and a video disk promoting the services of UFA Construction.

Administrative History

The Farm Supply Division of UFA Co-op began marketing prefabricated farm buildings in 1957. From 1960 until about 1964 it operated a Precutting Plant in Calgary for manufacturing building components. In 1964 the Building Department was established under the management of George Duffy. By 1968 the Department expanded to include installation of mechanized materials handling systems and became the Farmstead Building and Automation Department. In 1969 it was renamed the Farmstead Development Department (FDD). In 1985 the Farmstead Development function was decentralized and reintegrated into the Farm Supply Division, with building services specialists stationed at most Farm Supply Stores. By 1996 the product line of farm buildings was given the brand name Dynasty Structures. In 2007 the Construction Division was established, to integrate the expertise of Farm Supply building services with the Stirdon Betker Division and the newly-acquired Bar-W Petroleum and Electric. Its unrealized objective was to develop a general construction business in Alberta. In 2009 the Construction Division amalgamated with the Real Estate and Environment departments to form the Construction and Maintenance Services Division. By 2010 its focus returned to farm structures and farm mechanization and it was rebranded as UFA Building Solutions.

The series consists of two promotional calendars, a poster, a sound-slide production, a videocassette, and two compact discs containing photographic images and a PowerPoint presentation.

Administrative History

Stirdon Systems Ltd. was established in Olds, Alberta in 1971. It developed and produced computer-controlled systems for milling livestock feeds on the farm. Stirling Mcleod was one of the founders of the business and served as its General Manager until his retirement in 2005. In 1997 the firm was acquired by UFA Co-op and became one of its Divisions. A second office of the division was established at Lethbridge. In 2001 UFA Co-op acquired Betker Livestock of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and integrated it with Stirdon, under the name Stirdon Betker Division. By 2010 the Olds manufacturing plant was moved to Red Deer and the Saskatoon office was closed. The organization was part of the Construction Division, 2007-2010, and became known as the Stirdon Betker Team.